Italy: Update – Strikes to severely disrupt flights in, from country

Air traffic in Italy will be disrupted on Monday due to strikes at the nation’s airports, including a four-hour work stoppage by air traffic controllers.

 

Five unions representing the controllers called for a strike between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm (1200-1600 GMT), union sources said on Sunday.

 

In addition, air transport employees have been asked to go off duty on Monday, except during two guaranteed three-hour periods of service from 7:00-10:00 am and from 6:00-9:00 pm.

 

Italian air carrier Alitalia announced that around 40 per cent of its domestic and international flights have been cancelled. Travellers are advised to check the status of their flight before going to the airport, while Alitalia has committed to rebook passengers affected by the cancellations on the first available flights.